Peterson

Meaning & origin

Peterson is a patronymic surname turned given name, following a distinctly American tradition of adopting family names as first names. The name entered the U.S. baby name charts in 1950, reflecting the post-war rise of this naming style. It reached its peak popularity in 1989, when it ranked 5,423rd nationally, with a 1-in-89,079 rate. The trajectory has been largely stable since then, though it has gradually declined from its peak. In 2025, the name had a 1-in-189,786 incidence, ranking 8,243rd, indicating that while it is used, it remains uncommon. Peterson has never been concentrated in any particular state, suggesting wide but thin distribution. The name's sound aligns with other surname-names like Jackson and Hudson, sharing the patronymic ending 'son'. Peterson continues to be chosen by parents who favor surname-first-name style with a classic root.

Peterson is an English patronymic surname meaning 'son of Peter'. Peter comes from the Greek Petros (rock), the name Jesus gave to Simon. As a given name, Peterson emerged in the United States, used as a surname-as-first-name, a practice that became fashionable in the mid-20th century.